Wheel chair



Fell 195:7 w. PAVLICEK 2,781,080

WHEEL CHAIR Filed June 2, 1955' W////a/77 l ch 0c e14 INVENTOR.

United States Patent WHEEL CHAIR William Pavlicek, Katy, Tex.

Application June 2,1955, Serial'Nor 512,623

1 Claim. (Cl. 155'-30)' The invention relates to a wheelchair for the use of invalid persons and the like, and it concerns more particularly a chair of the type described which is capable of being operated by the chair occup'antunassisted.

It i an object of the invention to provide a wheel chair which enables the feet of the occupant to rest comfortably upon the floor, and'which may be propelled equally well with the hands or with the feet.

Another object of the invention is to provide an armless wheel chair of convenient height which is relatively easy to get in and out of, and which when moved alongside a bed or a toilet, for example, permits the occupant to transfer himself safely'to and from the chair.

Another object of the invention is to provide a chair which i of simple, sturdy construction and which is designed for maximum comfort.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a chair of the type described which is capable of being folded so that it may be transported or stored in a minimum of space.

The invention will be readily understood by referring to the following description and the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. l is a side eleva-tional view of a wheel chair embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is :a top plan view taken on the line 33 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary, sectional plan view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawing, the Wheel chair of the invention includes two pairs of elongated side members, numbered 1 and 2, the side members of each pair consisting of a relatively short side member 1 and a longer side member 2. The side members 1 and 2 of each pair are crossed and pivotally connected to each other intermediate their ends, as hereinafter described. The side members 1 and 2, respectively, are arranged parallel to each other. The two pairs of side members 1 and 2 are connected, respectively, to opposite end of a horizontally disposed rod 3. The ends of the rod 3 are passed thru aligned openings provided therefor in the side members 1 intermediate their ends, whereby the side members 1 are pivotally connected to the rod 3. The ends of the rod 3 are rigidly connected to the side members 2 intermediate their ends, whereby the side members 1 and 2 of each pair are pivotally connected to each other and at the same time the structure is reenforced.

In the embodiment of the invention shown, the side members 1 and 2, which may be made of wood, are substantially straight throughout their lengths. The side members 1 are inclined downwardly and rearwardly, while the side members 2 are inclined downwardly and forwardly. Each of the side members 1 has a rearward extension of its lower end comprising an elongated metal strip 4 which is folded upon itself intermediate its ends, the end portions of the strip 4 being secured to opposite The arrangement above described, in which eachof the side members 1 has a rearward extension of its lower end and each of the side members 2 has a forward. ex-

tension of its lower end, provides a broad base-for the chair. The chair has a relatively long wheel base, while at the same time being of optimum height and shape and having a comparatively low center of gravity.

The chair may be made of metal or other suitable materials, and may be chromium plated or otherwise deco-- rated. If desired the side members 1 and 2 and the extensions 4 and 5, respectively, may be formed in one piece.

The rearward extensions 4 of the side members 1 are rigidly connected to each other, whereby the structure is additionally reenforced, by an axle 6. The axle 6 is disposed transversely with respect to the side members 1 and i rigidly connected to the under side of the rearward extensions 4. A pair of wheels 7 are rotatably mounted on the ends. of the axle 6.

The forward extensions 5 of the side members 2 are rigidly connected to each other, whereby the structure is additionally reenforced, by a planar connecting member 3. The connecting member 8 is disposed transversely with respect to the side members 2 and is rigidly connected to the under sides of the forward extensions 5. A pair of swivel type wheels 9 are mounted on the under side of the connecting member 8 adjacent its ends. The connecting member 8 is generally crescent shaped, its forward edge being curved inwardly intermediate its ends as shown in Fig. 4. This arrangement provides room for the feet of the chair occupant, and insures that the feet will not at any time strike the connecting member 8.

A rod 10, which is disposed transversely with respect to the side members 2, is rigidly connected at its ends to the upper ends of the side members 2 whereby the structure is additionally reenforced.

The chair has a seat comprising a pair of side rails 11, which are arranged parallel to each other. The side rails 11 are each pivotally connected as at 12, adjacent its forward end, to the upper end of one of the side members 1. The side rails 11 are rigidly connected to each other adjacent their rearward end by a transversely disposed rod 13, the rod 13 being rigidly connected at its ends to the rearward ends of the side rails 11. Each of the side rails 11 is built up intermediate its ends so that its outer extremity lies in substantially the same vertical plane as the outer edge of the side member 1 to which it is connected. A pin 14 extends outwardly from the built up portion of each of the side rails 11 for engagement with a longitudinal slot 15 formed in the adjacent side memher 2, whereby the side rail 11 is slidably and pivotally connected to the side member 2. The longitudinal slots 15 each extend upwardly from a point substantially above the adjacent end of the rod 3 to a point substantially 'below the adjacent end of the rod 10. The arrangement is such that the side rails 11 are movable from a normal position, in which they are disposed substantially horizontally, being inclined slightly downwardly and rearwardly, to a folded position in which they are inclined sharply upwardly and rearwardly.

The chair seat also includes a Web-like structure or panel 16 having a pair of elongated end members 17. The end members 17 are arranged parallel to each other and are disposed transversely with respect to the side rails 11, to which they are rigidly connected at their ends. The panel 16 is positioned adjacent the upper edges of the side rails 11, and the rearward end thereof is spaced above and forwardlywith respect to the rod 13.

The chair has a back rest omprising a web-like structil-re or panel 18 having a pair of elongated end members 19. The panel 18, like the panel 16, is of rigid construction. The end members 19 are arranged parallel to each other and are disposed transversely with respect to the side members 2. One of the end member 19 is pivotally connected at its ends to the side members 2 as at 20, immediately below the adjacent ends of the rod 10. The panel 18 is suspended from its pivotally connected end member 19, and its lower end is disposed between the rearward end of the panel 16 and the rod 13 and normally engages and is supported by the rod 13.

The chair may be folded by grasping the rod 13 and pulling the rearward end of the seat upwardly with respect to the back rest. The pins 14 are thereby caused to move upwardly in the slots 15, and the side rails 11 assume a rearwardly and upwardly inclined position with respect to the side members 2. Simultaneously, the side rails 11 are moved pivotally with respect to the side member 1, and the side members 1 are moved pivot-ally with respect to the side members 2.

The invention may be modified in various ways Without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

I claim:

A Wheel chair comprising two pairs of elongated side members, one of the side members of each pair being longer than the other, the side members of each pair being crossed and pivotally connected to each other intermediate their ends, the side members of corresponding lengths being arranged parallel to each other, the shorter side members being inclined downwardly and rearwardly and each having a rearward extension of its lower end lying in a substantially horizontal plane, the longer side members being inclined downwardly and forwardly and each having a forward extension of its lower end lying in a substantially horizontal plane, means rigidly connecting the side members of corresponding lengths in spaced relation to each other, a pair of axially aligned Wheels connected to the rearward extensions and arranged to support the shorter side members, a pair of swivel type wheels connected to the forward extensions and arranged to support the longer side members, a seat pivotally connected to the shorter side members and pivotally and s-lidably connected to the longer side members, and a back rest pivotally connected at one end to the longer side members, the back rest being suspended from its pivotally connected end and the lower end of the back rest normally engaging and being supported by the seat.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 940,582 Burr-owes Nov. 16, 1909 2,383,039 Bushnell Aug. 21, 1945 2,650,653 Gethner Sept. 1, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 749,165 France May 2, 1933 

